Luke 8:41

Luke 8:41, in plain English

A synagogue leader named Jairus fell at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house. Desperation had erased all concern for reputation.

Why it's here

Jairus was an important man in the community, yet he threw himself at Jesus' feet. When someone you love is dying, pride disappears. His desperation became the doorway to a miracle.

Who's speaking

Jairus approaches Jesus with an urgent request.

Where it sits in the story

Jairus, a respected synagogue leader, abandoned all dignity and threw himself at Jesus' feet, begging Him to come save his dying daughter. Love for his child overcame everything else.

The scholarly reading

Jairus, an archōn tēs synagōgēs ('synagogue ruler'), falls at Jesus' feet (pesōn para tous podas) and parekálei ('kept begging') Him. A synagogue ruler was responsible for organizing worship services and maintaining the building, a position of significant communal authority and respectability.

Language and setting

A synagogue ruler prostrating before an itinerant teacher represents a dramatic social reversal, demonstrating desperate faith that transcends social convention. This begins the intercalated narrative where the hemorrhaging woman's story will be embedded within Jairus' story.

Voice

Luke introduces Jairus and narrates his desperate plea to Jesus.

Significance

A respected synagogue leader named Jairus broke all protocol, falling at Jesus' feet and desperately begging Him to come heal his dying daughter, putting his faith above his dignity.

39“Return home and describe how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and proclaimed all over the town how much Jesus had done for him.

40When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.

41Just then a synagogue leader named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He begged Him to come to his house,

42because his only daughter, who was about twelve, was dying.

43including a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all her money on physicians, but no one was able to heal her.

Read all of Luke 8 — A storm, a legion of demons, a bleeding woman, and a dead girl — Jesus moves through a world of chaos and brings order with a word or a touch.